August 30, 2023
Dear Violin families:
Welcome to the 2023/24 violin studio year! I look forward to seeing you all in person weekly for lessons. I enjoy working together and sharing our music with one another throughout the year. It’s an honor and pleasure to get to know students and their families! I hope you'll enjoy the studio community and that you'll contact me anytime with questions and ideas.
Below are my violin studio policies, general information, and important dates. Any new items are in italic. This document is rather long, but I like to have clear communication and a good relationship with all the families in my studio and I hope this letter helps reach those goals. Thanks for reading all of this!
Covid
For the beginning of the fall semester masks are not required and most lessons will be indoors. If you prefer outdoors, just let me know and if you prefer I wear a mask, I will gladly do so. Sometimes with good weather, it can be nice to play outside and occasionally we may have group classes outside.
Welcome all
I welcome families and students of all races, colors, immigrant or citizenship status, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identities, countries, incomes, marital status, religion, and disabilities. Because I believe in reparations and systemic injustices for black Americans, they will be eligible for full or partial scholarships.
Lesson Calendar and Tuition
There will be two semesters of 5 months each with about 34 lessons total for the year. The lesson calendar is approximately 10 months but will be shorter or longer depending on how many lessons you miss or don't miss. For more information on this, see lesson policies below.
Fall. The fall semester for violin lessons will begin Monday Sept. 4th and will end January 26th. The fall semester will include 16-17 lessons (out of 19 weeks).
Spring
The spring semester will include about 16-17 lessons (out of 19 weeks) beginning Jan. 29th and ending about June 14th. We can do the last three lessons in June or another time in the summer. The first 14 lessons should be completed by June 16th or earlier.
Summer
Summer lessons can start when you have completed your semester lessons. I welcome weekly summer lessons or any amount of lessons that works for your family. Summer lessons are not required since there is a ten month calendar now.
Lesson tuition
The fall and spring tuition includes some of the costs for group classes and recitals. It does not include some items such as a fee for recital rehearsal with accompanist or master classes and events with other teachers.
25-30 minute lesson:
The early bird monthly fee (for weekly lessons) is $120, or by the semester-- $600 for each semester.
The regular rates are: $123 for month, $615 for semester.
For 40-45 min. lesson:
The early bird monthly fee is $165 or for each semester, $828.
Regular rates are: $167 per month or $835 per semester.
For 55-60 min. Lesson:
Early bird monthly fee is $202 or $1010 per semester
Regular rates are: $204 a month or $1020 a semester.
Early bird rate applies to semester tuition paid before Sept. 12th for the first semester and by Feb.2nd for second semester.
If paying monthly through an app/online, please pay by the last day of the previous month (pay for Oct. by Sept. 30th).
If using checks, all checks must be received by the beginning of the semester (Sept. 12th for early bird).
If your bank is mailing checks, please schedule them so that I receive them at least a couple days before they are due.
The summer rates:
$35 for 30 min. lessons
$48 for 45 min. lessons
$60 for hour lessons
Payment due and registration fee
I strongly encourage you to pay electronically either through your bank, with Zelle (1st choice since there is no charge for small businesses), Paypal (use family and friends), or Venmo (also friends and family so that there is no fee for using). During the school year (summer is flexible), please pay by the semester or by month.
For Zelle: use my email address, jennifer.w.taylor@gmail.com
For Paypal: email might work or use: @jennifertaylorviolin or PayPal.Me/jennifertaylorviolin (make sure to use family and friends and double check before sending)
For Venmo: email might work or use: @jenniferwtaylor
If you pay by the month using checks, please write out checks for each month of the semester and give them all to me by the early bird deadline (if later, use the regular rate and still get them to me at the beginning of the semester) Please date the checks the first of each month (9/1, 10/1). I will wait to cash them on the first of each month.
Another option is to have your bank to mail me a check every month to arrive at least a couple days before the 1st of each month. I think you can set these payments up months in advance with the bank.
During the summer, you can pay for each lesson separately or pay for 2 or more at a time. I’m flexible with how and when you pay.
At the last lesson of May 2023, I plan to ask everyone to provide a check for a fall registration. The registration fee will be $25 for one student or $30 for two or more students. It is non-refundable and will reserve your lesson spot for the fall.
Scholarships
Every year I have a few students with partial and full scholarships for lessons. Please let me know if you need a reduced rate and we can hopefully work out something that works for you. A barter or exchange can be one way to reduce the rates. I request a copy of your W-2 forms and/or the first page of your income taxes if you would like a reduced rate or barter.
I especially welcome African American students to my studio. I will offer them full and partial scholarships since I believe in reparations. I welcome referrals and ideas for adding more racial diversity to the studio.
Lesson policies
a. Number of lessons per semester, make-ups, and missed lessons
Please note that each semester has 2 more weeks than there are lessons plus a week off for Thanksgiving and spring break. You are paying for 17 lessons per semester even though there are 19 weeks of possible lessons. That way if for some reason we skip a lesson or two, we have the option of not rescheduling. If you have more than the allotted number of lessons in a semester, you would owe for the additional lessons but I will let you know before we go over the allotted lessons.
Keep in mind that I may need to miss at least one lesson per semester (due to illness or conflict), and that leaves one more that one of us could miss. If for some reason I miss more than 2 lessons in a semester, I’ll make them up or if that is impossible, I will give you a refund. If you miss lessons, I will not provide a refund and may be unable to reschedule depending on whether I have other open times.
Please give at least 24 hours notice if you will miss a lesson. Sometimes other students are trying to reschedule and it helps to know of possible open time slots. Less than 24 hour notice cancellation counts as a lesson given (unless due to a sudden illness) and there will be no make-up or refunds.
b. Length of lessons and being late
If you are late, I will not provide make up time.
Some weeks your lesson time may run over and some weeks it may be a bit short. I hope that it all evens out. Just let me know if it consistently seems to be running short. In general, teaching time will be less than allotted time since you will need time to get your violin out and also time for a brief check in. If I keep you longer than your lesson time, you do not owe any additional money for that time! If you need to leave right on time, just let me know :).
c. Commitment to Semester/Year and Discontinuing Lessons
I expect everyone to commit to at least a semester of lessons and I prefer a commitment for the full year. I will not refund a partial month and do not provide refunds for the remaining months of the semester if you stop mid-semester (unless due to serious illness).
Please let me know as far in advance as possible if you are considering stopping lessons or have other issues of any kind concerning you. Before and after you make a decision, I appreciate you talking to me about any issues, since I can learn a lot from the discussion, and am glad to address any concerns you have. I am also glad to refer you to other teachers.
d. Observing lessons
I encourage you to arrive early and stay late to observe other students’ lessons. Not only do you learn a lot (sometimes more than from your own lesson!) but it also is a way to get to know other students, create a sense of community, and it can increase motivation to practice. Suzuki often taught groups of four kids together so that they could learn from each others’ lessons. Sometimes I have students play violin together between their lessons.
Parent/Grandparent/Other Home Partner Involvement
a. Attend lessons
I request that a parent, or home teacher/partner, attend every lesson and take notes. It can be a useful exercise just to write down all positive comments during the lesson or at home when you listen to them practice. For older students (about age 11 and up), or students that just seem to work better without a home partner present, it may be fine for partners/parent to leave for part or all of the lesson. We can talk about what works best for your family.
b. Home practice partner
Parents are part of the Suzuki Triangle (teacher, parent, student) and are the home practice partner. This role varies by age but to be the home practice partner, it is important to give your attention to their lesson. I encourage you to listen to as much of the lesson as you can and not be on your phone. The older the student, though, the less attention is needed from parents and we can decide if parent attendance at the lesson is even necessary.
With the Suzuki approach, a home partner’s job is to work with your young child at home during practice. As your child gets older (about age 9 and up), your role will change and be less crucial to practicing, but it is still important. If your child is older or there is a day or week when you are less involved directly, I would expect you to know what days your child practiced and about how long each day. I would also expect that you do your best to know what they practiced (scale, spots, which pieces, reading) and if it matched with the lesson assignments. A home partner can also talk about the goals of practice (often best to do this when the child is not practicing). Around middle school age, it may be best for parents to give their children more independence and space :). At all ages you can give your child lots of positive feedback and encouragement! Even high school students will likely need and expect reminders to practice!
Here is a good resource for parents/other home partners:
Christine Goodner’s books, blog, and zoom classes/talks: https://suzukitriangle.com/
c. Listening to recording of Suzuki pieces and other music
Home partners/parents can help greatly by turning on the Suzuki recording daily in the car or at home, playing classical and other types of music at home, and finding concerts to attend as a family. (see below for more information on listening)
d. Organization of music/books
I'd also appreciate parents helping their children remember all their music for the lesson and to keep it organized. Without certain books, I will have more trouble teaching them the skills in those books such as reading and shifting. If you give your son or daughter the responsibility of keeping up with the music, please double check everything until they are capable of keeping organized. Thanks for your help! Of course, I understand if you occasionally forget a book (it happened to me with my children too!) Please check the bag and music stand when you leave the lesson too :)
e. Suzuki Association for information
I encourage you to join the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA). You can join as a parent/home partner member and receive their journals and other information in the mail. They have lots of great articles on helping motivate your child to practice. They have a nice website as well that you can look at without being a member—suzukiassociation.org. The website has lots of introductory information about the Suzuki approach as well as a whole section just for parents. Summer Suzuki camps/institutes are listed on the website too.
Practicing
Parents/home partners have a role in practicing at all ages! During the teen years, the role might just be a cheerleader, communication with me, or supporting your student in setting up a practice schedule.. Most students (99% probably!) need reminders and or support of some kind in getting their practice in.
Please aim for 5-7 days a week of practice. Even a few minutes rather than none at all is usually worthwhile, especially to help keep a practice routine. Children often enjoy activities more when they are good at them, and without practicing enough, it is difficult to improve and feel comfortable with their playing. A routine of practicing (at the same time everyday if possible; mornings often work best) will help decrease the resistance to getting practice started. With our busy lives these days, I highly recommend scheduling a daily time for violin-- write it on your calendar/schedule! I’m glad to talk with parents at any time about practice strategies, and feel free to email me anytime with news on how practice is going.
Listening, piano accompaniment, and live or online concerts
Here is a link for a great video explaining the importance of listening:
Listening like a Maniac video--https://vimeo.com/184025782
It is the parent or other caregiver’s job to make sure your child is listening to the Suzuki recording daily. I recommend listening to the current volume for 30 minutes everyday and the current and upcoming two pieces repeated for about 20-30 minutes. This contributes greatly towards making violin easier to learn and reduces the amount of practice time needed.
You can now download different recordings of the Suzuki books.
There are new recordings now for Suzuki Volumes 1-3 with a wonderful professional violinist, Hilary Hahn. Here are the links:
Digital download links for recordings:
https://media.alfred.com/shop/159728 (vol. 1)
https://media.alfred.com/shop/159729 (vol. 2)
https://media.alfred.com/shop/159730 (vol. 3)
Here are Cd links:
https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-school-volume-1/p/00-48723/
https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-school-volume-2/p/00-48726/
https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-violin-school-volume-3/p/00-48729/
For other volumes, you can also get links from Alfred Music: Suzuki Audio Downloads
Evergreen recordings. These are on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3oocuNPX9Fb5cDSYB2fqKZ or find them on Amazon.
Piano accompaniment
It is important for students to play along with piano accompaniment. The Alfred recordings with William Preucil or Hilary Hahn have piano backing tracks included at the end. You can also find good recordings on youtube. It is important to be able to slow down these recordings. This is easy on youtube and often easy with digital recordings online. If there is no speed adjustment available directly, you can use apps such as Anytune (Mac), Amazing Slowdowner, Audacity, https://app.musicspeedchanger.com/ google play music speedchanger or audio speedchanger. There are probably more out there too!
You will likely need a speaker to hear the accompaniment clearly while playing along with it.
Concerts
Live music is educational and inspiring! Look out for local concerts to attend. The NC symphony has Saturday children’s concerts throughout the year and the Durham symphony has a series of outdoor weekend afternoon concerts. Duke performances and Carolina Memorial at UNC have some wonderful violin soloists usually every year. Mallarme Chamber players also offer a few concerts a year in Durham geared towards children. I love the Duke chamber music series and our local Duke Ciompi quartet.
Group Class
a. Studio group classes
Studio group classes
I strongly encourage participation in group classes. Attending group classes often makes learning more enjoyable, and increases confidence and motivation for students. I plan to have group classes about 2x a month this year for vol. 1-3 students. If there is enough interest and time available, we can have some occasional book 4+ classes.
b. Other group classes
If you are unable to attend the group classes I am teaching or assisting, please consider other group classes or an orchestra (options such as Duke String School are listed on my website).
I may occasionally or even once a month cancel lessons for the week and find a time for everyone to play as a group at my house.
c. Violin Workshops and Institutes
During the summer there are weeklong violin camps all over the country and in other countries. The SAA (Suzuki Association of Americas) website lists all of these. The camps can inspire and motivate kids and parents for nearly a year! We used to go to one called Blueridge that is not on the SAA website (Blueridgesuzukicamp.com). The Greenville and the Virginia Institutes are both great and close to home.
Violin Care
a. Violin size
If you think your child is outgrowing their violin, please see me before getting the next size. I usually prefer to have a student on a violin that is too small rather than too big since it can be harder to have good posture and keep the body comfortable with a larger violin.
b. Violin, car, and weather
Do not leave a violin in the car for more than 5 minutes when the temperature is above 80 degrees (glue can melt and violin can come apart; bridges warp, varnishes come off). Cold temperatures are also not good for the violin and so again, do not leave it in the car when it is cold (pegs dry out and it becomes very hard to tune; bridge can move and collapse) Being too humid or dry can also cause problems with the violin. Some people keep a small damp sponge in their case when their house is dry. You can purchase instrument humidifiers for cases to help protect the violin from dryness or high humidity.
c. Strings, Rosin and Loosening bows
Fall is a good time to replace your strings and get an extra set in case one breaks. If you haven't replaced strings in 1-2 years, I recommend new strings! It’s good to change them once a year.
Please keep rosin in the case and apply rosin before each practice or a couple times a week. To keep the violin and strings clean, wipe the strings and underneath them with a dry cloth. If the strings get too much rosin on them, you can carefully clean them with rubbing alcohol (just don't get the alcohol on your violin or fingerboard).
And of course, don't forget to loosen the bow after every practice. Bows will eventually warp, and not tighten or loosen, if you do not loosen them regularly.
House and parking
a. Siblings
If siblings are present during the lesson, please have engaged in a quiet activity so that the teacher, student, and parent can focus solely on the lesson.
If a student or sibling needs to do homework during someone else's lesson, please stay in the living room or ask me if the living room is available.
b. Parking
Please do not park between our house and our next door neighbors to the right (if you are facing the front of our house). The space is too small making it difficult for them to get in and out, plus it's too close to their mailbox. It’s fine to park behind my blue honda fit in the driveway unless for some reason we are doing a lesson outside.
c. Doorbell
If you are the first student/family of the day, please ring the doorbell and wait until I open the door. Otherwise, just come on in!
Communication
a. Let me know :)
Please let me know (by phone, email, or during the lesson) if you have any concerns no matter how small, or questions about the lessons, practicing, motivation, or violin techniques. Lessons will be more productive if I am aware of these issues. I welcome feedback, suggestions and any information that helps me better understand and teach your child.
It helps to hear what your goals are for violin lessons, so that I know what to expect and can make appropriate practice assignments. I hope to talk to all families about their goals at the beginning of each semester. I also welcome suggestions on the style of teaching that works best for your student. For example, I can give clearer assignments if needed; or be less firm, if the child is feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Communication is very important to me and if you are comfortable exchanging frequent emails to discuss the week’s practice or anything that happened at the lesson, I welcome it!
I may set aside a week of parent conferences in lieu of lessons this year. We may also spend some time at a lesson once a semester or more with all three of us to discuss goals, progress, and any other issues.
b. Studio website (in case you are reading a hard copy of this letter)
I have a studio website. It will have a copy of this letter and other information such as local youth orchestra websites, Youtube links, and my lesson calendar. If you have any ideas or practice tips, let me know and I can share them on the website or an email to the studio families! The address is: http://sites.google.com/site/jennifertaylorviolinstudio
Summary
My main goals are: to be part of the community helping your children grow into wonderful human beings; and to increase their understanding and joy of music throughout their lives.
I look forward to working with you and your children this year.
Jennifer